Virgin Galactic Builds Spaceplanes in AZ

Category: To the Point with Mick Rich To the Point with Mick Rich
Published: 11 August 2022 11 August 2022

vg az spaceplane manufacturing facility copyVirgin Galactic Arizona spaceplane manufacturing facility

Virgin Galactic to Conduct Space Camp in NM

Virgin Galactic reported that Boeing subsidiary Aurora would build their future carrier airplane (at their existing facilities), and Virgin Galactic would make their spaceplanes in Mesa, Arizona. These two short press releases speak volumes.

In my June 6, 2022 article, "Virgin Galactic Has Been Earthbound," I outlined that Virgin Galactic could not meet its goal of 400 launches per year at Spaceport America. I called and emailed Virgin Galactic months before publishing my article. Those calls and emails were not returned. Within a day of my writing being published, VG issued a second press release addressing my conclusion.

It is not surprising Virgin Galactic's stock price remained near record lows despite the two press releases. Building a new facility in a new state to manufacture spaceplanes is fraught with challenges. I expect Boeing's Aurora to design and then make the new carrier airplanes at one of their facilities, which will be challenging. Building and certifying a new fleet will take time.

Until the new fleet is in place. Who of the wealthiest will fly in a proof-of-concept airplane and spaceplane? What insurance company will guarantee the life of the world's richest? The world's richest have shown they are willing to spend their wealth for the experience, but it just took one crash of the Concorde Supersonic Airliner to ground it permanently. Virgin Galactic will have to overcome the past failures and demonstrate they can provide a safe adventure into space.

Virgin Galactic's announcement that they will not build their fleet in New Mexico is evidence they lack confidence in New Mexico. Despite New Mexico (Governor Richardson) gambling $200 plus million on Virgin Galactic (Spaceport America). Virgin Galactic choose Arizona to build its fleet of spaceplanes. The $200 plus million New Mexico bet cannot overcome New Mexico's ranking of states. New Mexico is in the bottom three of US News and World and Report for healthcare, education, economy, infrastructure, opportunity, fiscal stability (tax structure), and crime.

The $200 plus Million Spaceport, America gamble on Virgin Galactic is another example of Santa Fe Democrats wasting our hard-earned money trying to buy jobs instead of "Solving our Solvable Problems." Write Governor Lujan Grisham; Demand she and her fellow Santa Fe Democrats recover our money from Virgin Galactic before their billion dollars is gone, and focus on making New Mexico a place that entices companies that pay excellent wages.

Spaceport America ($200 million plus) near Truth or Consequences ,is  like The Camino Real Museum ($10 million plus) near San Antonio, NM, The Onate Monument ($1 million plus) near Alcalde, NM are melting back into the ground like many abandoned adobe homes. Spaceport America's fire station/administration building has experienced significant building failure. I contacted Spaceport America to schedule a site visit to inspect the facility. I was told everything is fine, and I can sign up for a regular tour in September.

It's not OK.

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